The Joy of Six + Sportblog | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/series/joyofsix+blog
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 22:46:31 GMT2015-03-03T22:46:31Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
The Joy of Six: League Cup final goalshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/27/joy-of-six-league-cup-final-goals
From Alan Kennedy’s disputed strike that enraged West Ham to vindication for Andy Cole and a 40-yard jaw-dropper by Villa’s Chris Nicholl, half a dozen have goals that lit up the League Cup<p>Liverpool have won the League Cup more times than anyone else and they have been in the most finals, but the competition tripped them up in its early years. The League Cup was introduced in 1960-61 and, somewhat surprisingly, it took Liverpool until 1978 to reach their first final, only to lose 1-0 to Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest. Two months later, they won their second successive European Cup, beating Club Brugge 1-0 at Wembley, yet they had to wait another three years before they got their hands on the League Cup.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2015/feb/26/league-cup-finals-1980s-wolves-nottingham-forest-norwich-luton-oxford">The League Cup finals of the 1980s: from Wolves to Forest, via Norwich and Oxford</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/27/joy-of-six-league-cup-final-goals">Continue reading...</a>Capital One CupSportFootballFri, 27 Feb 2015 10:49:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/27/joy-of-six-league-cup-final-goalsPhotograph: Colorsport/REX/Colorsport/REXLiverpool celebrate, West Ham remonstrate, after Alan Kennedy’s goal.Photograph: Colorsport/REX/Colorsport/REXLiverpool celebrate, West Ham remonstrate, after Alan Kennedy’s goal.Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty ImagesPick that one out. Yaya Touré scores for Manchester City in last year’s final.Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty ImagesPick that one out. Yaya Touré scores for Manchester City in last year’s final.Photograph: Jim Hutchison/Associated Newspap/Jim Hutchison/Associated NewspapJohn Sheridan’s moment of class floors Manchester United.Photograph: Jim Hutchison/Associated Newspap/Jim Hutchison/Associated NewspapJohn Sheridan’s moment of class floors Manchester United.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/GuardianAre you watching, Glenn Hoddle? Andy Cole lifts the League Cup in 2002 having scored Blackburn's winner Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the GuardianPhotograph: Tom Jenkins/GuardianAre you watching, Glenn Hoddle? Andy Cole lifts the League Cup in 2002 having scored Blackburn's winner Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the GuardianJacob Steinberg and Ian McCourt2015-02-27T10:49:32ZThe Joy of Six: British boxing underdogs | George Gigneyhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/20/joy-of-six-british-boxing-underdogs
<p>From Richard Dunn’s gutsy bout with Muhammad Ali to Dereck Chisora’s near-impossible attempt to dethrone Vitali Klitschko, via Joe Calzaghe, David Haye and more, half-a-dozen British boxers who were up against it</p><ul><li>M<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/19/martin-murray-gennady-golovkin-boxing">urray’s only hope of beating Gennady Golovkin is with a bazooka</a></li></ul><p>This weekend, two British fighters challenge for world titles against rather heavily favoured opposition. On Saturday night in Monaco, Martin Murray will face power-punching middleweight sensation Gennady Golovkin for the WBA title. Golovkin’s meteoric rise through the division has seen him dispatch opponents with relative ease and accumulate a 90% knockout ratio. While this will be Murray’s third stab at winning world honours, he goes into the fight a 14-1 underdog.</p><p>On the same night, Liverpool’s Paul Smith will travel to Berlin to fight WBO super-middleweight king Arthur Abraham in a repeat of their last fight in September. Despite pushing the champion surprisingly close, Smith was on the wrong end of a lopsided unanimous decision, causing Abraham to agree to a rematch. Although Smith’s performance last time round improved his reputation, he still remains the underdog at 15-4.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/19/martin-murray-gennady-golovkin-boxing">Martin Murray’s only hope of beating Gennady Golovkin is with a bazooka | Kevin Mitchell</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/20/joy-of-six-british-boxing-underdogs">Continue reading...</a>BoxingSportFri, 20 Feb 2015 10:59:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/20/joy-of-six-british-boxing-underdogsPhotograph: Martin Meissner/APDavid Haye tries to land a right hand against Vladimir Klitschko.Photograph: Martin Meissner/APDavid Haye tries to land a right hand against Vladimir Klitschko.Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Archive/PA PhotosJoe Calzaghe attempts to land a shot during his points victory over Jeff Lacy.Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Archive/PA PhotosJoe Calzaghe attempts to land a shot during his points victory over Jeff Lacy.Photograph: Al Bello/Getty ImagesRicky Hatton was knocked out in the 10th round by Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Al Bello/Getty ImagesRicky Hatton was knocked out in the 10th round by Floyd Mayweather Jr in Las Vegas in 2007. Photograph: Al Bello/Getty ImagesGeorge Gigney2015-02-20T10:59:34ZThe Joy of Six: Cricket World Cup momentshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/13/joy-of-six-cricket-world-cup-moments
From Dwayne Leverock making the Earth move for Bermuda, to South Africa and Australia’s back-to-back classics in 1999, half a dozen memorable moments<p>Time was when Dwayne Leverock weighed around 300lb. His mother said it was all in his genes. They were a “big family, both sides”. But it didn’t help that she was a chef, or that her son’s flat in downtown Hamilton was above one Indian takeaway and across the street from another. His girth didn’t hinder him in his day job driving inmates from the courthouse to the prison and back, in fact sometimes it came in handy. But it wasn’t helping his sports career any. Leverock was a handy footballer – “a powerhouse striker,” as he put it – for a local team. But he was a better cricketer. He’d grown up wanting to bowl like Abdul Qadir. They’d once kicked him out of the team because he was too big, so he knuckled down and lost 50lb. It worked. His left-arm spin was coming out better than ever. He took nine wickets in the ICC Trophy in 2005, four of against them against USA in a win that put Bermuda through to the World Cup for the first time.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/13/joy-of-six-cricket-world-cup-moments">Continue reading...</a>Cricket World Cup 2015India cricket teamWest Indies cricket teamEngland cricket teamAustralia cricket teamPakistan cricket teamSouth Africa cricket teamIreland Cricket TeamCricketAustralia sportSportFri, 13 Feb 2015 10:41:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/13/joy-of-six-cricket-world-cup-momentsPhotograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty ImagesDwayne Leverock in full flight.Photograph: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty ImagesDwayne Leverock in full flight.Andy Bull and John Ashdown2015-02-13T10:41:32ZThe Joy of Six: Merv Hugheshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/06/the-joy-of-six-merv-hughes
<p>Big, hairy, macho, moody, lippy and fast, but behind Merv Hughes’s cartoon image lay the giant, ever-beating heart of Australia’s bowling attack</p><p>There was a joyous and hopefully life-affirming moment for Mervyn Gregory Hughes last Sunday night on live, primetime Australian television. He wasn’t making a guest appearance during Channel Nine’s broadcast of the Tri-Series final, instead he was across on the Ten network being introduced as a cast member of the Australian branch of <em>I’m A Celebrity </em>Get Me Out Of Here.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/06/the-joy-of-six-merv-hughes">Continue reading...</a>CricketAustralia cricket teamAustralia sportCricket World Cup 2015Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:15:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/feb/06/the-joy-of-six-merv-hughesPhotograph: David Munden/Popperfoto/Popperfoto/Getty ImagesMerv Hughes, playing with a dog at Trent Bridge in 1993.Russell Jackson2015-02-05T20:15:03ZThe Joy of Six: Roger Federerhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/30/joy-of-six-roger-federer
<p>From overcoming Pete Sampras at Wimbledon to finally winning the French Open via the tweener, here are half a dozen great moments from the Swiss star</p><p>Come at the king, best not miss, as Pete Sampras was never heard saying to his many victims at Wimbledon. But he missed a trick by not saying it because it would have been an excellent and appropriate catchphrase.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/30/joy-of-six-roger-federer">Continue reading...</a>Roger FedererTennisSportFri, 30 Jan 2015 10:00:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/30/joy-of-six-roger-federerPhotograph: Tom Jenkins/GuardianRoger Federer collapses to the ground after he defeated Pete Sampras on Centre Court at Wimbledon in 2001 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the GuardianPhotograph: Tom Jenkins/GuardianRoger Federer collapses to the ground after he defeated Pete Sampras on Centre Court at Wimbledon in 2001 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the GuardianJacob Steinberg2015-01-30T10:00:05ZThe Joy of Six: public apologies | Barry Glendenninghttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/16/the-joy-of-six-public-apologies
<p>From Lance Armstrong to Tiger Woods, via Eric Cantona, we present a selection of apologies and non-apologies</p><p>To err is human, to forgive is divine: athlete messes up, then fronts up before the media to express contrition and ask for mercy. In a world where even the most nimble feet are often made from metaphorical clay, the public apology has long been a sporting staple. Many are utterly sincere, others not so much. Some are forced, quite a few are unnecessary. Then there’s the vague non-apology, where – through gritted teeth – a sportsman or woman who clearly feels they’ve done little wrong apologises to anyone “if” they were offended. One of many, a personal favourite came in 2013 from cyclist Peter Sagan, who famously issued one notable classic of the genre, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/02/peter-sagan-apology-pinching-bottom">when after publicly goosing podium girl Maja Leye</a> in the wake of the Tour of Flanders, <a href="https://twitter.com/petosagan/status/318405651422400512">he tweeted that</a> it “was not my intention to disrespect women today on the podium. Just a joke, sorry if someone was disturbed about it.” Splendid.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/16/the-joy-of-six-public-apologies">Continue reading...</a>SportFootballFri, 16 Jan 2015 11:09:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/16/the-joy-of-six-public-apologiesPhotograph: Clive Mason/Getty ImagesAndrew Flintoff offers his apology sat next to Duncan Fletcher in St Lucia.Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty ImagesAndrew Flintoff offers his apology sat next to Duncan Fletcher in St Lucia.Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty ImagesDisgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong in his televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in January 2013.Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty ImagesDisgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong in his televised interview with Oprah Winfrey in January 2013.Barry Glendenning2015-01-16T11:09:06ZThe Joy of Six: Cricket World Cup selection storieshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/14/joy-of-six-cricket-world-cup
<p>From Ian Botham’s stint as an opener to calculated chaos in the Pakistan camp, we pick out six of the best World Cup selection stories</p><p>Though the years had advanced on both of them, neither Kiwi Dipak Patel nor England veteran Ian Botham were shock selections for their respective sides at the 1992 World Cup, but it was their specific tactical deployment that took the cricket world by surprise. Botham was used a pinch-hitting opening batsman in a squad loaded with all-rounders and Patel, to even his own surprise, was recast from journeyman batting all-rounder to off-spinning opening bowler.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/14/joy-of-six-cricket-world-cup">Continue reading...</a>CricketAustralia sportSportAustralia cricket teamTue, 13 Jan 2015 20:00:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/14/joy-of-six-cricket-world-cupPhotograph: Hamish Blair/Getty ImagesAndrew Symonds celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Rashid Latif of Pakistan during the 2003 World Cup.Photograph: Hamish Blair/Getty ImagesAndrew Symonds celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Rashid Latif of Pakistan during the 2003 World Cup.Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty ImagesIan Botham of England is caught at the wicket by Moin Khan off Wasim Akram during the Cricket World Cup final against Pakistan played at the MCG in Melbourne. Pakistan won the match.Photograph: Ben Radford/Getty ImagesIan Botham of England is caught at the wicket by Moin Khan off Wasim Akram during the Cricket World Cup final against Pakistan played at the MCG in Melbourne. Pakistan won the match.Russell Jackson2015-01-13T20:00:05ZThe Joy of Six: great moments in sport commentary | Nick Millerhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/09/the-joy-of-six-great-moments-in-sport-commentary
<p>From Richie Benaud to Peter Alliss, via Vin Scully and Jack Karnehm, we celebrate half a dozen magic moments behind the mic</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/nov/30/1">2007: The Joy of Six – great moments in football commentary. By Scott Murray</a></li></ul><p>Given that the purpose of the Joy of Six is not to rank things or necessarily pick the best, it’s pretty tempting to ignore the obvious, to cock a snook at the first thing that comes to mind. It’s a little like making a compilation C90 cassette (ask your older brother how he tried to get girls to like him at school) and not putting the Beatles or Nirvana on there; or at least if you do, picking the Kinfauns home demo of ‘Polythene Pam’ over ‘Let It Be’, or the live version of ‘Aneurysm’ instead of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’.</p><p>Maradona, turns like a little eel, he comes away from trouble, little squat man … comes inside Butcher, leaves him for dead, outside Fenwick, leaves him for dead, and puts the ball away … and that is why Maradona is the greatest player in the world” – Bryon Butler, for BBC Radio.</p><p>“Here’s Maradona again … he has Burrachaga to his left, and Valdano to his left … he doesn’t … he won’t need any of them … OH! … you have to say that’s magnificent. There is no debate about that goal. That was just pure football genius” – Barry Davies, for BBC television.</p><p>Maradona has the ball, two mark him, Maradona touches the ball, the genius of world soccer dashes to the right and leaves the third and is going to pass to Burruchaga. It’s still Maradona! Genius! Genius! Genius! Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta. Goooooaaaal! Gooooooaaaaal! I want to cry! Dear God! Long live soccer! Gooooooaaaaalllllll! Diegoal! Maradona! It’s enough to make you cry, forgive me. Maradona, in an unforgettable run, in the play of all time. Cosmic kite! What planet are you from, to leave in your wake so many Englishmen? So that the whole country is a clenched fist shouting for Argentina? Argentina 2 England 0. Diegoal! Diegoal! Diego Armando Maradona. Thank you God, for soccer, for Maradona, for these tears, for this Argentina 2 England 0” – Victor Hugo Morales, Radio Argentina.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/09/the-joy-of-six-great-moments-in-sport-commentary">Continue reading...</a>SportSport TVTelevisionUS sportsFri, 09 Jan 2015 10:06:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/09/the-joy-of-six-great-moments-in-sport-commentaryPhotograph: Tom Jenkins/GuardianFans at The Oval in 2005.Photograph: Tom Jenkins/GuardianFans at The Oval in 2005.Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty ImagesThe brilliant Richie Benaud at The Oval in September 2005.Photograph: Tom Shaw/Getty ImagesThe brilliant Richie Benaud at The Oval in September 2005.Nick Miller2015-01-09T10:06:46ZThe Joy of Six: betting coupshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/19/the-joy-of-six-betting-coups
<p>From one of greatest coups in Irish horse racing history to sabotage at Sheffield greyhounds via golf’s hole in one gang, our pick of when the bookies were left reeling</p><p>In perhaps the most famous betting coup in British or Irish horse racing history, the Irish former band manager and trainee Jesuit priest-turned gambler, racehorse owner and philanthropist Barney Curley, entered a horse named Yellow Sam in a National Hunt race at the small provincial track of Bellewstown in Ireland.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/19/the-joy-of-six-betting-coups">Continue reading...</a>Horse racingGolfGreyhound racingSportFri, 19 Dec 2014 11:45:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/19/the-joy-of-six-betting-coupsPhotograph: Patrick Bolger/GuardianIrishman Barney Curley pulled off the great Yellow Sam betting coup at an obscure race at Bellewstown in 1975.Photograph: Patrick Bolger/GuardianIrishman Barney Curley pulled off the great Yellow Sam betting coup at an obscure race at Bellewstown in 1975.Barry Glendenning2014-12-19T11:45:07ZThe Joy of Six: Phillip Hugheshttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/02/the-joy-of-six-phillip-hughes
<p>The youngest player ever to score two centuries in a Test and the first Australian to make a ton on his ODI debut, the boy from Macksville made a huge impact </p><p>Over the years not every point of every post on this humble blog has been joyous in a strict and literal sense. Some are merely amusing, quirky or fun. You would be hard-pressed though to find anything in sport more joyous than the sight of Phillip Hughes when he was off on one. Cricket is always a joy when it’s played right. Phillip Hughes knew this all along and he played it the right way. “Where else would you rather be, boys,” he’d ask his teammates, “but playing cricket for your country?” </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/02/the-joy-of-six-phillip-hughes">Continue reading...</a>Phillip HughesCricketAustralia cricket teamAustralia sportTue, 02 Dec 2014 01:42:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/dec/02/the-joy-of-six-phillip-hughesPhotograph: Eranga Jayawardena/APPhillip Hughes: ‘Where else would you rather be, boys?’Photograph: Eranga Jayawardena/APPhillip Hughes: ‘Where else would you rather be, boys?’Russell Jackson2014-12-02T01:42:50ZThe Joy of Six – The Benson and Hedges World Series Cuphttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/25/the-joy-of-six-the-benson-and-hedges-world-series-cup
<p>From Come on Aussie C’mon to the beloved uniforms and Tony Greig’s Weatherwatch, one-dayers just aren’t the same any more</p><p>These days one-day internationals are a little bit like Wes Anderson films; there’s too many of them, they all look the same and you can never quite escape the feeling that the best ones happened at least ten years ago. There are a variety of reasons why Australian punters seem to have no great interest in attending them these days, some of which relate to the points above but also social factors beyond the control of cricket and its administrators.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/25/the-joy-of-six-the-benson-and-hedges-world-series-cup">Continue reading...</a>CricketAustralia cricket teamAustralian mediaChannel NineAustralia sportSportTue, 25 Nov 2014 03:57:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/25/the-joy-of-six-the-benson-and-hedges-world-series-cupPhotograph: YouTubeThose were the days, weren’t they? Australia v New Zealand, MCG, 1981.Photograph: YouTubeThose were the days, weren’t they? Australia v New Zealand, MCG, 1981.Photograph: YouTubePhotograph: YouTubeRussell Jackson2014-11-25T03:57:59ZThe Joy of Six: three-goal comebacks | Scott Murrayhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/21/joy-of-six-goal-comebacks
Liverpool revisit Selhurst Park this weekend, six months <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/05/crystal-palace-liverpool-premier-league-match-report" title="">after letting that lead slip</a> – here are some other three-goal miracles<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/05/crystal-palace-liverpool-premier-league-match-report">Crystanbul</a> was nothing new; Liverpool are past masters of the three-goal comeback. Whether provocateurs or patsies, they’ve been involved in some of the great turnarounds of the modern age, a narrative device revisited to the point where it’s something of a clich&eacute;. The entire dramatic seam has been mined. May’s meltdown at the tail end of last season’s title race quickly became, thanks to some grade-A punning, the perfect companion piece to the miracle of Istanbul back in 2005. No need to tell either story again. Polar opposites, beautifully crafted bookends, take your pick, there’s something there for everyone.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/21/joy-of-six-goal-comebacks">Continue reading...</a>FootballSportPremier LeagueFri, 21 Nov 2014 10:15:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/21/joy-of-six-goal-comebacksPhotograph: Owen Humphreys/PAMiddlesbrough’s Massimo Maccarone is the hero again after scoring the winner in the 4-2 win over Steaua Bucharest in 2006. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PAPhotograph: Owen Humphreys/PAMiddlesbrough’s Massimo Maccarone is the hero again after scoring the winner in the 4-2 win over Steaua Bucharest in 2006. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PAScott Murray2014-11-21T10:15:10ZThe Joy of Six: football abandonmentshttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/07/joy-of-six-football-abandonments
From the Battle of Bramall Lane to the floodlight ‘failure’, via fog and a brace of games in which 36 players were sent off<p>The warning signs were hanging above Bramall Lane on 16 March 2002, if you looked intently enough. Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion’s previous five games had yielded four red cards, for starters. To whet the appetite further, all bar one of those encounters had been played under the auspices of Neil Warnock and Gary Megson – who were both, it could be said operating at peak abrasiveness around this time. It would, no doubt, be a typically no-holds-barred Championship ding-dong.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/07/joy-of-six-football-abandonments">Continue reading...</a>FootballSportFri, 07 Nov 2014 09:45:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/07/joy-of-six-football-abandonmentsPhotograph: Phil Cole/AllsportSelhurst Park in darkness as floodlight failure forces Wimbledon v Arsenal to be called off.Photograph: Phil Cole/AllsportSelhurst Park in darkness as floodlight failure forces Wimbledon v Arsenal to be called off.Photograph: Paul Barker/PAThe Battle of Bramall Lane, in full flight. Photograph: Paul Barker/PAPhotograph: Paul Barker/PAThe Battle of Bramall Lane, in full flight. Photograph: Paul Barker/PABarry Glendenning and Nick Ames2014-11-07T09:45:52ZThe Joy of Six: great fast-bowling spells | Russell Jacksonhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/04/joy-of-six-great-fast-bowling-spells
<p>From Lillee v Richards to Mitch Johnson destroying England, a selection of cricket’s most hostile barrages<br></p><p><strong><br /></strong></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/04/joy-of-six-great-fast-bowling-spells">Continue reading...</a>Mitchell JohnsonAustralia cricket teamPakistan cricket teamWest Indies cricket teamAustralia sportCricketSportMon, 03 Nov 2014 20:34:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/nov/04/joy-of-six-great-fast-bowling-spellsPhotograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty ImagesMitchell Johnson prepares to unleash hell.Photograph: Morne de Klerk/Getty ImagesMitchell Johnson prepares to unleash hell.Russell Jackson2014-11-03T20:34:19ZThe Joy of Six – Australian tours of Pakistanhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/28/the-joy-of-six-australian-tours-of-pakistan
<p>From dubious umpiring to raging turners to Mark Taylor’s 334 not out, look back on Australia’s cricket tours of Pakistan</p><p><strong>1. </strong><strong>The ‘other’ Pakistan</strong></p><p>I can only speak for myself here, but when I was young and learning to love cricket, I appreciated on some subconscious level that there was two distinct types of Pakistan team. The first was the one that regularly toured Australian shores (oh for those days again); the one which always brimmed with an intoxicating blend of sublimely skilled superstars, mercurial and frustrating talents, mystery spinners who may or may not have been north of 40 years old (despite the protestations of the tour guide that they were in fact 28) and then at the other end of the spectrum, often a 17-year-old who looked at least 25.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/28/the-joy-of-six-australian-tours-of-pakistan">Continue reading...</a>CricketImran KhanAustralia sportAustralia cricket teamPakistan cricket teamSportTue, 28 Oct 2014 00:08:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/28/the-joy-of-six-australian-tours-of-pakistanPhotograph: AAP ImageMark Taylor acknowledges the crowd during his triple century at Peshawar.Photograph: AAP ImageMark Taylor acknowledges the crowd during his triple century at Peshawar.Russell Jackson2014-10-28T00:08:55ZThe Joy of Six: celebrating big-boned footballers | Barry Glendenninghttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/24/joy-of-six-celebrating-big-boned-footballers
In homage to the spat raging between Harry Redknapp and Adel Taarabt, we present the players who have succeeded in English football despite carrying a bit of extra timber<p>“I don’t mind what they call me as long as they don’t call me late for my lunch,” said William Foulke on more than one occasion. The massive goalkeeper is on record as being the fattest person to play professional football and his size made him a target of regular abuse from fans. As the mischievous soundtrack tacked over the closing stages of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UkVZZnrC4E" title="">this archive video footage</a> hints, Foulke may well have been the inspiration for a particularly famous terrace anthem pertaining to the consumption of pies that remains popular in football grounds the length and breadth of the UK to this day.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/24/joy-of-six-celebrating-big-boned-footballers">Continue reading...</a>FootballSportFri, 24 Oct 2014 11:37:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/24/joy-of-six-celebrating-big-boned-footballersPhotograph: PopperfotoWilliam ‘Fatty’ Foulke, pictured circa 1896, with the stripes doing their best. Photograph: PopperfotoPhotograph: PopperfotoWilliam ‘Fatty’ Foulke, pictured circa 1896, with the stripes doing their best. Photograph: PopperfotoBarry Glendenning2014-10-24T11:37:24ZThe Joy of Six: AFL's Open Mike | Russell Jacksonhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/21/the-joy-of-six-afls-open-mike
<p>From Doug Hawkins’ tears to the eloquence of Gilbert McAdam, some of the best moments from Mike Sheahan’s show<br></p><p>We’ll start with an unqualified statement, presented more as opinion than fact and let you decide for yourself: Fox Footy’s Open Mike is the best ever AFL TV show. Is that a shallow field? Most definitely, and to be absolutely truthful Open Mike is not without its occasional faults, but it’s deftly established itself as the best oral history of the modern game.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/21/the-joy-of-six-afls-open-mike">Continue reading...</a>AFLAustralian rules footballAustralia sportSportMon, 20 Oct 2014 20:39:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/21/the-joy-of-six-afls-open-mikePhotograph: Hamish Blair/AAP ImageNicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam produced some of the most memorable moments on Open Mike.Photograph: Hamish Blair/AAP ImageNicky Winmar and Gilbert McAdam produced some of the most memorable moments on Open Mike.Russell Jackson2014-10-20T20:39:52ZThe Joy of Six: lost Australian sport teams | Adam Woolcockhttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/14/the-joy-of-six-lost-australian-sport-teams
<p>From Clive Palmer’s football project to the Brisbane Bears’ glory days, our pick of clubs that fell off the map<br></p><p>By the 1980s most Victorian Football League sides were in deep financial trouble, but at least they’d had a century to work themselves to the brink of oblivion. In just three fiscally irresponsible seasons the Brisbane Bears found themselves a whopping <a href="http://news.google.com.au/newspapers?id=pNdUAAAAIBAJ&amp;sjid=kpEDAAAAIBAJ&amp;pg=4799%2C4798666">$26m in the red</a>. Even the $4m they paid to enter the competition was still owed to the bank, and with their loan guaranteed by the failed Qintex empire of feckless tycoon Christopher Skase, the league’s northern experiment was on the brink of collapse.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/14/the-joy-of-six-lost-australian-sport-teams">Continue reading...</a>AFLA-LeagueNRLBasketballAustralia sportBaseballSportRugby leagueFootballAustralian rules footballMon, 13 Oct 2014 20:37:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/14/the-joy-of-six-lost-australian-sport-teamsPhotograph: Dave Hunt/AAP ImageGold Coast United enjoying happier times before their extinction.Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP ImageGold Coast United enjoying happier times before their extinction.Adam Woolcock2014-10-13T20:37:42ZThe Joy of Six: rabonashttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/10/the-joy-of-six-rabonas
From the father of the trick to Angel di María (via David Dunn), we celebrate half a dozen players indulging themselves<p>Did you know that it is not just a coincidence that <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/11/world-cup-stunning-moments-johan-cruyff-turn-1974">the Cruyff Turn</a> was named after Johan Cruyff? Yes, really. Hours and hours of painstakingly careful research reveals that this piece of skill, a dragback and a feint away from an unsuspecting defender, was invented and perfected by the Dutch forward and first seen during a match against Sweden at the 1974 World Cup.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/10/the-joy-of-six-rabonas">Continue reading...</a>FootballSportFri, 10 Oct 2014 08:27:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/oct/10/the-joy-of-six-rabonasPhotograph: AP / AFP / EPAFrom Angel di María to Pablo Aimar: the world’s finest exponents of the rabona (and David Dunn). Photograph: AP / AFP / EPAPhotograph: AP / AFP / EPAFrom Angel di María to Pablo Aimar: the world’s finest exponents of the rabona (and David Dunn). Photograph: AP / AFP / EPAJacob Steinberg2014-10-10T08:27:23ZThe Joy of Six: A-League and NSL season openershttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/07/the-joy-of-six-a-league-and-nsl-season-openers
<p>From Dwight Yorke at Sydney FC to the birth (and death) of Northern Spirit, our pick of season openers<br></p><p>When the Phillips Soccer League kicked off in 1977, it was the first truly national competition of any of the football codes. “The common interest proved to be stronger than the fear of failure,” wrote Andrew Dettre in Soccer World<em>.</em> “This is why, warts and all, one must warmly welcome its arrival and wish it every possible success.” Clubs went in search of sponsors to cover the considerable costs involved in such a bold venture, while crucial support came from Dutch electronics giant Philips and Channel Ten, both of which poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the competition. St George defender George Harris said: “TV could break the ancient ice of indifference to soccer.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/07/the-joy-of-six-a-league-and-nsl-season-openers">Continue reading...</a>A-LeagueAustralia sportFootballSportMon, 06 Oct 2014 20:36:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/oct/07/the-joy-of-six-a-league-and-nsl-season-openersPhotograph: AAP ImageDwight Yorke helped establish the credibility of the A-League.Photograph: AAP ImageDwight Yorke helped establish the credibility of the A-League.Joe Gorman2014-10-06T20:36:41Z